What is godliness?

In my last post I said that I would start studying what it is to be godly because of the call to godliness in 1 Timothy 4. If I am going to train myself to be godly I sort of need to know what that end is. So, I first did a topical search of "godly" and "godliness" to find out where it's located in the Bible only to find a scant number of references. I'll research each one of these thoroughly, use different translations and hit up some commentaries as well to do a deeper research on it. But, I'm also going to do the 21st century thing to and research online and get some quick answers. Additionally I'll do the old fashioned thing of reading some books. Hopefully this three pronged attack will help me to learn what godliness is, how to train for it and how to achieve it.

But, the first little google search came up from https://bible.org/article/what-godliness and I found it to be a good start. I'm going to quote it some and then I'll paraphrase it some. Then I'll try and get some application out of it to.

The article illuminates the importance of godliness, in spite of very few Biblical references that use the exact term. It states that "No higher compliment can be paid to a Christian than to call him a godly person." It states that "it is both the privilege and duty of every Christian to pursue godliness, to train himself to be godly, to study diligently the practice of godliness". Fantastic. This is what I want. I want to be godly - I want to study it diligently. Hence, this exercise. But, the definition of godliness is a difficult one, sort of like a game. Try defining that sometime with any precision.

Godliness, it goes on to state is a foundational spiritual attribute. It is a foundation from which all godly character is built on. These again are of course things that I want, things that I need. To overcome some of my character flaws I need them to be replaced with positive ones. To become a better Christian I need to have a firm foundation. But, still the definition is a bit hazy. It just doesn't seem like a tangible thing that I can reach out for. It's not something I can really build a training regime towards.

But, then the page talks about Enoch and gets a bit more specific. Things become a bit clearer. Godliness is a relationship with God, pleasing God, walking with God. These three things combined equal a devotion to God. Devotion then is the meaning of godliness. But, devotion isn't a mere activity. Rather, devotion is an attitude towards God. "The practice of godliness is an exercise or discipline that focuses upon God." Devotion to God is repurposing one's life to center on God. This is a little more tangible - something that I can shoot for. "Godliness is more than Christian character: it is Christian Character that springs from a devotion to God".

So, what then does devotion look like practically? Devotion is a motivation for Christian behavior that is pleasing to God. Devotion is a relationship with God, pleasing with God and walking with God. It's being like Enoch (so a study on Enoch is obviously forthcoming).

Interestingly, though I found a bit in the page that shows where devotion can go wrong. There are lots of Christians that are devoted to certain aspects of God or of godly living. This can hamper true devotion as it will take one's mind off of God - kind of like missing the forest for the trees. So devotion, if it is to lead to godliness must be a devotion wholly to God, not to an aspect of Him or His ministry. Godliness then can be defined as the devotion to God which results in a life that is pleasing to Him.

Also interesting in this little page was a delineation between a godly person, a moral person and a benevolent person. A moral person does the things that are moral for the sake of morality. A benevolent person does benevolent things for the sake of benevolence. A godly person though, does moral things and benevolent things because they are godly. Godliness is always the end. Morality and benevolence are good things, just not ends to themselves.

So, it is a bit better defined for me, but where do I start? Godliness starts from cultivating a relationship with God. That is tangible enough for me

Train yourself to be godly

In searching for the part of Scripture about weak and strong faiths and how they lead believers to either enjoy or abstain from foods I came across 1 Timothy 4, before finding the passage in Romans I was looking for. A couple things came across to me immediately.

1 Timothy 4:4-5 "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."

This quickly gives me hope that I can overcome the alcohol problem and after awhile be able to receive the gifts of God with thanksgiving through consecration by prayer. Prayer is not a strong suit for me, but I'm hoping that keeping up this blog will increase my prayer life. In essence, while it covers numerous other topics, it is a collection of prayers to God. I hope to receive everything from God with thanksgiving. This is my prayer for what my future holds.

But, the alcohol angle of my prayer life will hopefully be fleeting and transient. I hope I don't have to concentrate on this subject matter for an extended point of time. The exhortation I see in later is something entirely different. "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (I Timothy 4:7-8).

I'm going to ignore the "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales" part for a moment. I hope that this isn't an exhortation to ignore philosophy or other things I have interest in. But, I am going to focus on training myself to be godly. What does that mean exactly?

To be honest, I haven't exactly figured it out. So, what I'll do is simply study everywhere the Scriptures uses the word "godly" or "godliness" and build from there. I'll study the text and try and figure out how to make it practically applicable to my life.

Conditional Consecration, Essential Holiness

The third day of Draw the Circle made me think about the the idea of consecration and holiness. I wondered to myself after I had posted the last blurb if I was really right in equating consecrating and holy so easily. Are they the same word basically? I remember in college learning the technical definition of the word holy was "set apart". THen when Batterson mentions that consecration means "set apart" the word holy just instantly popped into my head. It's just one of those lectures I happened to have a vivid memory of. I grew up in the church so the word holy is commonplace. We sang Holy, Holy, Holy more than any other song in our Baptist church, save the Doxology. But, I hadn't really heard a good definition of what it meant until college. It was just one of those concepts that I new related to God, in a positive way and was a command for us to be and a positive thing for us to strive for and something that the angels were and something that Moses and Abraham were and something that Jesus was and the first name of a part of the Godhead and, and, and... But that lecture in college sort of put it in concrete terms and it's stuck with me.

Forgive me now as I indulge in a little armchair linguistics with the help of Strong's online. Holy in the Old Testament comes from the Hebrew word "Qadosh", meaning "set apart for a special purpose". The New Testament word that gets translated as "Holy" is the Greek "hagios". This has a good meaning too. It connotes "different" or "otherness". But the technical definition that Strong's gives is great: "different from the world because like God". So consecration is similar. It comes from the Greek "Hagiazó". Biggest different is hagios is a adjective; hagiazó is a verb. Joshua 3:5 sees the Lord commanding them to consecrate themselves. I Timothy 4:5 has Paul telling Timothy that everything that is received with thanksgiving is good because its consecrated.

Now, maybe I'm splitting hairs and reading too much into this but as I'm looking at it I see a minute difference that may be a big deal. Holiness I think is a set apart thing of God. The otherness of "hagios" comes from God. The "qadosh" is God setting something aside for a special purpose. It was God that set Israel apart from the world. It was God that set Levi apart among Israel's tribes. Holiness comes from God alone.

But consecration seems to be a combined act of both man and God. I Timothy states that "because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer" referring to all things received with thanksgiving. Holiness doesn't require man's reception with thanksgiving though. God is Holy because God is Holy. The Holiness doesn't have a conditional existence, it is an essential thing to God. But for something to be consecrated it has two conditions. A) It requires the word of God. B) It requires an obedience to that word of God by man. Joshua couldn't have consecrated himself for God without hearing from God to get consecrated. Nothing could be consecrated or set apart to become the otherness if that Otherness wasn't first calling for that thing to become something else.

Now, I'm sure that those who actually speak Greek or Hebrew could shoot through my arguments with a tenacity that would cause my whole house of cards here to come a tumbling down. But, while spending an hour or so on Strong's Concordance via Safari doesn't make me an expert I think my initial reaction to Batterson's calling consecration "set apart" in equating it with holy was wrong. And again, maybe I'm making too much of this, but I find philosophy of language to be extremely important. Contemplating the minutia of word choices and synonyms may seem like a bit of sophistry on my part but I feel that the concepts entailed in certain words carry their weight differently, even if they weigh the same. Using the most correct language possible is essential in communicating with three groups.

A) Those who aren't actually there to ask you clarifying questions or to pick up on your nonverbal communication.

B) The Divine because even though He knows what you are praying, by wrestling with the synonyms a deeper understanding can be fleshed out and give us a better grasp of God though our pursuit of Him.

C) Your own mind. By combining and cataloging and distinguishing on levels that would bring a smile to the face of a Byzantine you may very well confuse yourself for the vast part of your day, but when those moments of sweet lucidity come, brief as they may be - ah such moments of clarity are unrivaled! 

Who is saved

(Originally written May 1, 2007 in Book 15)

Class Notes

John 14:6 - No one comes to the Father but by me
Acts 4:12 - There is no other name
I Timothy - One God, One Mediator - The Man Jesus

"If you believe then you will be saved"
does not mean
"If you don't believe, then you will not be saved".

"You will be saved if and only if you believe"
means also
"Since you believe you will be saved"

Romans 10

Old Testament

Who is definitely saved?
- The ones who are in covenant with God
- The sacrifices implicitly direct them to Christ
- Job, Melchizedek, Rahab (worshippers of the true God outside of the covenant), Ruth

Who is definitely not saved?
- Idolaters

Class Notes on Pluralism and Exclusivism

(Originally written April 29, 2007 in Book 15)

Class Notes

Grace & Redemption Debate

Options:

1) Ture Pluralism - DeNoia, Heim
2) Coerced Pluralism - John Hick
3) Bashful Pluralism - William Alston
4) Inclusivism - Karl Rahner
5) Exclusivism

Karl Barth

Two Options

1) Either you accept God as He revealed Himself as Christ
2) Or you do not accept God

All Christians have a belief system based on God. All non-Christians' belief systems are based on self. There is no common ground.

Are those who have never heard the gospel lost?

Before answering this question it must be based completely on Biblical data, not merely philosophical or emotive arguments.

Passages:

John 14:6 - "Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved".

I Timothy 2:5 - "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Jesus Christ."

Romans 9:1-5 "I speak the truth in Christ - I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit - I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to the sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen"

1) Exclusivism because otherwise the anguish would make no sense.
2) Cursed and cut off from Christ makes sense only if it is possible.

Biblical backing for animal rights issues

(Originally written May 9, 2006 in 3 Subject Book)

Animal Rights

Rights/Duties

Sentient  Rights

Genesis 1:26, 9:1-7 Divine image bearers exercising dominion

Genesis 2:16-17 - Pre-Fall diet, vegetarian??

Deuteronomy 12:15, 20 - Israelites may eat meat

Proverbs 12:10 - ethical treatment of animals

Mark 7:18-19: "Are you so dull? He asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn't go into their heart but their stomach, and then out their body" (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean).

Luke 12:24 - humans are more valuable in God's eyes than animals are

1 Timothy 4:1-5 - humans can eat animals

Isaiah 11:6 - the wolf, the lamb & the child

Image of God, Salvation & Predestination

(Originally written April 21, 2006 in 3 Subject)

Historic Christian Belief

Theosis - the way of the East

The Eastern Orthodox makes a distinction between the image of God and in the likeness of God.
The image of God - the capacity to relate to God
The likeness of God - an unbroken union with God

The Fall resulted in the damage of the image of God in humanity, but is still retained. The Fall however resulted in a complete loss of the likeness of God. The likeness of God can be restored to those in Christ to a significant degree however.

Three Categories of Divine Election

1. General Election
2. Corporate Election
3. Particular Election

General Election
-Election in History
-God chooses nations and individuals to play a particular role in history: to glorify God
Romans 9:6-13 (Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob over Esau in the blessing), Romans 9:16 (Pharaoh)

Corporate Election
-God foresees who will believe in Christ
-Ephesians 1:3 - chosen in Him from before the creation of the world
-Those chosen = a corporate entity, the believers in Christ
-Christ is God's 'chosen [elect] one, all others are chosen in Christ (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 8:29, 1 Peter 3:9)

Particular Election
-Augustine, Calvin
-Monergism - salvation brought about through spiritual regeneration without willingness from the saved (irresistible grace)
-God has chosen individuals out of the whole of fallen humanity
-Election is one aspect of predestination, Election (salvation & glory), Reprobation (judgment)
-Predestination: Election & Reprobation (John 6:44, Acts 13:48, Ephesians 1:5 and Romans 8:29)
-Romans 8:29 is actually used by Calvinism & Arminianism

Catholic Epistles, Pastoral Epistles, The Epistles of John

(Originally written January 24, 2006 in Book 20)

The first three Catholic Epistles:
1 Peter
2 Peter
Jude

1 Peter: Salvation & Suffering

What it means to live for God in a world without God.

"For Western Christians at the close of the 20th Century this brief tract written within a culture not yet Christian becomes a relevant textbook on Christian living in a culture no longer Christian".

1 Peter

I. Problem of Authorship
-What difference does it make whether the Apostle Peter wrote this letter or someone else wrote it and ascribed it to Peter?
-Peter is a highly esteemed apostle
-Peter was an eye witness
-Peter's words in 1 Peter & Acts

II. Who was I Peter written to?
-Gentiles

III. Setting of Peter's Readers
-ridicule for their beliefs
-honor and shame
-walking in Jesus' steps

2. II Peter

-Parallels Jude
-II Peter 1:20-21 Source of Scripture
- A response to rationalistic and hedonistic denials of God
-Paul's letter as Scripture

3. Jude: Danger! False Teachers!

-Parallels 2 Peter
-Jude was probably written after II Peter

Pastoral Epistles

Called Pastoral because they were written to young pastors

Contents: Introduction to Timothy and Titus about:
1) Errors of false teachers
2) Conduct and teaching as pastors/teachers
3) Church order and behavior in worship
4) Pastor's relationship to other groups in the Church
5) Qualifications for Church leaders

Authorship: critical scholarship considered non-Pauline
-a pseudonymous writer in the second century
-used Paul's authority
-to combat a rising Gnostic influence
-or could think of them as pious forgeries

Paul's authorship attacked on four grounds
1) Historical arguments
-don't fit into chronology in Acts (written after Paul was released in the end of Acts)
2) Stylistic arguments
-Author uses different style and words than Paul's (Paul was older, could have given secretaries more freedom)
3) Ecclesiastical arguments
-Church structure and church order is too developed for first century church (ignores fact that church in Acts is already highly developed)
4) Theological arguments:
-Heresy is a developed Gnosticism of the second century so it is therefore, post-Paul (Gnostic heresy existed very early on)

1st Timothy Highlights

1:18-20 Timothy's character and Paul's admonition

1 Corinthians 11:29-30
- New covenant stipulation
- Will Hymenaeus and Philters be in heaven?
2 Timothy is written 5 years after and it seems unlikely.

2:11-15
- Role of women in the church is one of the hottest topics in evangelicalism today

Authorship of Hebrews
-Philip?
-Apollos?
-Priscilla?
-Barnabas?

Hebrews was the oldest complete early Christian sermon that has been preserved.

Written to professing Jewish Christians in danger of apostasy (going back to Judaism)

The Epistles of John

Intro to I John

Test of fellowship
-Am I a carnal or a spirit directed believer?
-Assumes all John's readers are believers

Tests of Life View

-Am I spiritually alive or spiritually dead?
-Assumes some readers are not Christian

Highlights of Acts, James, Calvinism vs. Arminianism & Galatians

(Originally written on January 17, 2006 in Book 20)

Highlights in the Book of Acts

Acts 2 - Birth of the Church

Church = New Testament People of God
Israel = Old Testament People of God

Acts 6 - Prototypes of Deacons/Elders

The 12 - Prototypes of elders/bishops

Functions of the Elders/Bishops
1) Teaching the word
2) Prayer

The Seven = The prototypes of deacons/deaconesses

Acts 8 - Persecuted church scatters
Acts 9 - Paul's conversion
Acts 10 - Gospel to the Gentiles
Acts 12 - James is Martyred
Acts 14 - 1st Missionary Journey
Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council
-Must Gentile Christians keep the Law in order to be saved as the Judaizers insist?
Acts 15:39-18:22 - 2nd Missionary Journey
Acts 18:23-21:27 - 3rd Missionary Journey
Acts 21:27-23:32 - Imprisoned in Jerusalem
Acts 23:33-26:32 - Imprisoned in Caesera
Acts 27-28 - Voyage to Rome
Acts 28:16-30 - Roman imprisonment

The Book of James:

Author: James, brother of Jesus (oldest)
- Did not believe in Jesus
- Jesus appeared to him post resurrection
- Very religious Jew
Galatians 2:12/Acts 21:17-26

Recipients:
-Jewish believers who scattered after Stephen's death
-Only epistle strictly written to a Jewish audience

Date:
- Earliest Christian document
- Josephus records James' martyrdom in AD 62
- Makes no reference to Judaizing controversy (AD 49)
- Approximately written AD 46-47

Focus of James: The practical outworking of Christianity in a righteous lifestyle

Emphases
1) Patience in the face of suffering
2) How the rich treat the poor
3) Judgment and judging

James & Paul on role of works in salvation:
- Both James & Paul affirm good deeds and are against bad deeds
- Both use the Greek word "erga" (works) but use it differently

James 2:14-26 has a particular kind of works in view
- Good deeds like acts of charity, generosity, impartiality, control of tongue, etc
- His opponents were claiming orthodoxy without action

Paul opposes "works" as in works of the Law
- Stops people from attempting to obtain salvation through the Law, which is impossible

Calvinism vs. Arminianism

Total Depravity vs. Free will/human ability
Unconditional Election vs. Conditional election
Limited Atonement vs. Unlimited Atonement
Irresistible Grace vs. Resistible grace
Perseverance of the Saints vs. Can fall from grace

Calvinism justifies Unconditional Depravity by Romans 3:10, Jeremiah 17:9, Ephesians 4:18 and Ecclesiastes 7:20. We are unable to save ourselves and will never choose Christ on our own.

Arminianism justifies free will/human ability by John 1:9 and Titus 2:11

Calvinism justifies unconditional election by Romans 8:29-30, Romans 9:11-18, Acts 13:48. Foreknew = Forechosen. God chooses man, man does not choose God.

Arminianism justifies conditional election via Romans 8:29. Foreknew = Foresaw. God foresaw who would choose Him.

Calvinism justifies limited atonement with John 10:10, John 10:15, John 17:2, John 17:6, John 17:9. Christ only died for the elect.

Arminianism justifies unlimited atonement with 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Peter 2:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:19. Christ died for all men.

Calvinism justifies irresistible grace with Romans 9:19-21. Nobody can resist God's will.

Arminianism justifies resistible grace with 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Corinthians 5:19. God can be resisted.

Calvinism justifies Perseverance of the saints with Philippians 2:12-13, John 10:27-30, Romans 8:38-39. Salvation is secure.

Arminianism justifies can fall from grace with Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-31, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Romans 8:38-39, Romans 11:22. Salvation can be lost.

Introduction to Galatians

Dualism: Body doesn't matter, do whatever. Soul is what counts.

Two Extremes of dualism:
Antinomianism - over indulgence
Asceticism - no pleasure at all, minimalism

If Paul was concerned about distortions of the gospel, we should too.

Problem behind letter to Galatians.

Jewish Christian teachers infiltrated the Galatian churches with a message that endangered the Gospel message. They were Judaizers.

Judaizers sought to complete Paul's gospel in two ways.
1) by requiring circumcision
2) by enforcing Jewish food laws

Notes on the Canon, Textual Criticism and Interpretation of the Bible

(Originally written January 5, 2006 in Notebook 20)

The Canon & Transmission of the New Testament text

Definition of Canon - originally meant measuring reed

Metaphorical meaning - standard

Applied to the New Testament - refers to those books accepted by the Church as the standard with governs our beliefs.

The Precanonical Period

- Oral tradition (25 years worth)
(The passion narrative was probably memorized)

- Early Christian Preaching:
1) No New Testament books at this time
2) Early Church had the Septuagint

- Logica = Sayings (A collection of Christ's sayings compiled by Matthew)
- Perhaps like the "Q" Source, namely the 250 or so verses common to Matt and Luke, not in others

- Testimonia = Collection of Old Testament Passages

- Agrapha
- Literally means "unwritten"
- they are the unwritten things that Jesus said
- unwritten means not in the Gospel
- An example of this is Acts 20:35

- Direct revelation from God through the prophets (Acts 11:27-28, Acts 13:1, I Corinthians 11:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12-14)

The collection of individual documents

- New Testament authors regarded their messages as authoritative (I Corinthians 7:40, I Corinthians 14:37, 2 Peter 3:1-2, Revelation 22:18-19)
- Internal testimony: the documents were to be read in the public gatherings of the churches (Revelation 1:3, Galatians 1:1-2, I Thessalonians 5:27, 2 Corinthians 1:1, Colossians 4:16)
- Internal testimony: at least two writers cite other New Testament works as "Scripture" (1 Timothy 5:18, 2 Peter 3:15-16)

The influence of that lead to their collection
- Apostles start to die
- A body of truth was needed for teaching new convents
- Influential heretics arise like Marcion of Sinope: Marcion limited the canon to Paul's letters and Luke's gospel. He was anti-semitic and disregarded other books as Old Testament and of the God of wrath.

Formation of the Canon

- The idea: God superintended the collection of the documents via through his spirit in the churches

Tests of canonicity:
1) Apostolic origin (of an apostle or associate)
2) Apostolic doctrine (first oral, then written)
3) Acceptance by the churches

- Canon confirmed the third council of Carthage

Conclusion
- The Holy Spirit superintended the writing, collection and recognition of the canon
- None of the books were accepted by the church because of ecclesiastical compulsion
- Canon wasn't determined by a council or by individuals' judgments. It was the Spirit guidance.
- Church did not determine the canon, it only recognized it

Textual criticism - the study of the copies of any written composition of which the original autograph is unknown

Foundations of Exposition

-Exposition
- Systematic Theology
- Biblical Theology
- Exegesis
- Hermeneutics

How the Bible came to Us

Thoughts in God's mind --> revelation --> Human author's minds --> Inspiration --> Original Manuscripts of the Bible (Collection of 66 Books) --> Textual Criticism --> Modern Greek and Hebrew Bibles -> Translation --> Modern English Versions --> Illumination and Interpretation --> Thoughts in our minds --> Application --> Change in our lives --> Communication --> to others

The Holy Spirit does not help you to interpret the Bible. It prompts you to act on the Biblical passages you read.

Revelation is the wisdom that cannot be known through human methods, it must be revealed by God

Hermeneutics is the science that teaches us the principles, laws and methods of interpretation.

Differing hermeneutical principles and procedures yield different results and is responsible for varying Christian doctrines.

Evangelicals use the grammatical-historical method of interpretation.

Grammatical - considers the meanings of the words in the text

Historical - considers the meaning of the text within historical contexts

Validation - validating your interpretation

Grammatical-historical method seeks to establish the meaning and the intention of the text as it would have been understood by the original readers.

Competent exegesis must be done in the original languages

Interpret literally

Literal - the natural or usual construction and implication of a writing or expression; following the ordinary and apparent sense of words, not allegorical or metaphorical

There are three elements to every word:
1) Symbol - the actual letters
2) Sense - the meaning attached to the symbol (mediator, intercessor, helper)
3) Referent: the actual thing being related to

Interpret the Bible Contextually

Interpret in accordance with the genre of literature

Understand there are figures of speech: metaphors, similes, overstatements, hyperbole, pun, paradox, irony, parables, fables, myths, riddles

Revelation is accommodated.
Revelation is progressive.

Prayer and thoughts on Acts

(Originally written July 29, 2005 in Talks With God)

Acts is the next book I will read. Lord, teach me the wisdom and knowledge of Acts and help me to retain the wisdom you've given me through Isaiah, Daniel and Paul's letters. I love you Lord.

Acts 3:1-10

This is where Peter 'heals' the crippled beggar. I do not question your power or how you do miracles Lord, all I want to know is how to get a faith that strong? What must I do to have faith strong enough to have your healing power come out of my mouth? Lord, teach me, so that I am strong enough to do your work.

Acts 1-14

Lord, I realize that I must continually serve you. That is the only way I will become like Paul and thus be a great servant to you. Lord, I don't worship Paul, nor do I try to bring glory to him. It is not he who I strive to be like in all that I do. I want to be like Christ, I want to look at him in the face and thank him for all he had done for me. But as I see Paul, I see a role model to being a servant of Christ. OF all those who are worthy of your undying love, I am the least. I am a liar, a thief, a cheat, I speak with a crude tongue, I am a lover of money and a wicked, wicked man. But, I feel the Holy Spirit working in me. I feel you cutting away the sins in my life. I look back at the sins I have committed and wonder how can you want to save me. Only by your grace. You are so incredibly full of Grace, your eternal light I cannot even fathom. I love you with all my heart. Let all I do bring glory to you. Watch over me and keep me committed. I want nothing to do with what will bring you shame and dishonor. I want only what is good and pleasing to you.

I see through Acts 1-14 that being a Christian is not an easy road. Lord, as I am at Taylor and other places prepare me to stand up for all the trials I may face. As Jesus did his ministry on earth, the disciples got a 3 year, hands-on training on how to minister. Give me training, whether it is for 3 or 30 years, so that I can be effective for you. Give me strength enough, even in the face of death, to stand up and proclaim your ever living presence. You are Holy. You are Holy. I love you Lord. I can never say that enough.

Lord, two passages of the reading really moved me. I was full of tears because of your amazing power. You've shown me what true faith is.

Acts 3:1-10

When you healed that cripple through Peter my eyes welled up. I could hardly contain myself. I felt your presence as I never felt before. I do not need to see obvious miracles to know your power. I look around and simply see the trees and the water and the clouds and the dirt, and know. I know you have the power to make all of this out of nothing. This is sufficient for me. I should have that faith, a faith so strong I can move mountains. But, I don't. I'm sorry. I tell you today that I will stay faithful and ready and pray everyday until my faith is that strong and more.

Acts 9:36-43

When you raised Tabitha from the dead, Lord I could hardly read more. My eyes welled up and I shook because I knew you were and are the Lord God Almighty. May praise be to you forever and ever! But, Lord I cannot fathom your true power. I want to though, and I will serve you all the days of my life. Bless me if I am obedient, devour me if I am not. Hear my prayer oh King! I love you God.

Acts 15-28

As I have finished Acts, Lord let the wisdom that has been passed down to me sink in. Let the wisdom and grace you have given me be evident to all. You show me how to live in Acts. I must speak your word boldly and continually if I am to be a true servant of Christ. Lord, this is my plea! Help me to speak of you always and boldly. When I open my mouth let your words fill others' hearts and ears. I am nothing without you; use me as you see fit. Let them know that I serve and live for Christ Jesus. Let them know these things, not so that I may be praised, but so that your glory and praise will increase among men. Lord, I ask for much I know, but it is possible for you. I want these things for your glory and not my own. Strip me of pride if it swells. I only want to accomplish things to your account. I love you Lord. As I begin at Taylor I see many people who will be obstacles to my starting in ministry for you. Keep me encouraged and strengthened. Keep my eyes on you and keep this verse in my heart:

1 Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and purity"

Prayer & Notes on 1 Timothy

(Originally written July 28, 2005 in Talks With God)

I hope that I am learning to be more like Paul. Paul was humble, yet able to get his message across. He was persistent and faithful in all that he did. Lord it is you who gave him the strength to do that; you can give me the same strength. Lord, hear my prayer. I love you Lord. Praises be to you from all the earth.

I just read I & II Thessalonians and I Timothy. I see the love Paul had for people, especially in I Timothy. He trusts Timothy and encourages him. I love I Timothy 5:23, "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and frequent illnesses". That is so personal. Paul truly cared for Timothy.

Paul has the love of Christ. I know I am asking for a miracle Lord, but make me as Paul. He was able to serve you so well, and I am barely able to bring my self to speak to you. I am so unworthy of this request but I will never worthy of it. Give me Paul's attributes, not so I can be like Paul, but so I can be like Christ and serve Him. Praises to you God. I will serve you forever. If you have other plans than what I am praying for show me, but I feel you are leading me with the Spirit. If you aren't, admonish me, so I can know what the Spirit feels like.

I Timothy 6:9-10 "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs".

Lord, this was me over the past few years. Your words ring true. I had wandered from you and I pierced myself with countless griefs. But, I stand here today because you were faithful to me even when I had no faith in you. Lord please heal my grief, take it away from me. I am ready to be cleansed. This summer has been the beginning of that process. Lord, continue to fix and prune me, even if it is a painful process. Lord, I beg of you only one request, please do not let me bring grief to my family and to those who love me. If I need to be rebuked or humbled please do it in a way they are spared. I have not only caused myself grief, but I have put an enormous burden on them. I am ashamed of my actions. Please God, don't let me do this again. I love you Lord and I lift my voice, to worship you. Oh my soul rejoice. Take joy my king, in what you hear, may it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear. Jesus, I love you and exalt your name.